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San Diego Padres fans went home happy Sunday afternoon afternoon after infielder Jake Cronenworth hit a walk-off home run to beat the Houston Astros 4-3.
Jake Cronenworth with the Bomb to Right Center to walk it Off for the Padres over the Astros 4-3 in the Bottom of the 9th pic.twitter.com/JGY6Duvv0Q
— MLB Walk Offs & Game Winning Plays (@MLBWalk_Offs) September 5, 2021
It was the 20th home run for Cronenworth this season, and it clinched the series for the Padres against the Astros after winning 10-2 Saturday night.
The Padres took an early 3-1 lead in the first inning after Trent Grisham and Manny Machado singled and Cronenworth walked. Wil Myers and Eric Hosmer drove them in with a sacrifice fly and double to give the Friars the lead.
The Astros would not respond until the seventh inning after Yuli Gurriel and Carlos Correa hit back-to-back dingers off Chris Stammen to tie the game.
Despite chances for the Astros to score in the ninth, Mark Melancon kept the scoreboard clean to set up Cronenworth for the game-winner.
With the win and the Cincinnati Reds falling to the Detroit Tigers this afternoon, the Padres now hold a 0.5-game lead for the second NL Wild Card spot.
The Padres are off tomorrow before welcoming the Los Angeles Angels to town for a two-game set Tuesday. First pitch is set for 7:10 p.m. PST.